Sunday, July 24, 2016

DESTINATION: Caddo Lake State Park, Texas

While visiting the historic town of Jefferson we could not pass up the opportunity to make a short visit to Caddo Lake State Park. The park sits near the small town of Karnack, in east Texas. The name of this park is a bit deceiving as the park doesn't sit on the shores of Caddo Lake (the only natural, fresh water lake in Texas) but on Big Cypress Bayou.

Like most Texas state parks the structures within Caddo Lake SP were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Company 889 began the work, in June to November of 1933. Company 857 continued construction from October 1934 to March 1937.

One of the cabins that can be rented at the park

CCC workers converted 15 U.S. Army barracks and an Army mess hall into the nine log cabins and group recreation hall that can be used today. Other facilities built by the CCC include picnic sites, a pavilion, Park Road 2 and trails.

Fishing pier at the park

Bald cypress trees draped with Span­ish moss tower over the maze of bayous, sloughs and ponds of Caddo Lake State Park. Under these big cypress trees visitors can fish, paddle, hike, picnic, camp or stay in a cabin, or go boating.

Another view of the fishing pier in use

Although we did not see one, alligators live in the park. When obtaining your park pass at the park's office you will be informed of alligators.